Re: Film Holders and Zero Image 4x5

Jeremiah,

The Zero 4x5 is a beauty and it has to be the most simple 4x5 pinhole/zoneplate
camera to use on the market. With its clever system of extension frames, you can
increase the focal length from 25mm to whatever length you wish, in increments of
25mm. Sort of like having a zoom on your 4x5 camera! What is at issue then for
users is how familiar they are with large-format film and film holders.

Film holders are two-sided contraptions designed to hold the film securely in
place with a removable dark slide which keeps the film securely protected from
light when not in the camera and which you remove at the time of the exposure.
You load the film in the film holder either in total darkness or in a changing
bag. Film comes in boxes of 10, 25, 50 sheets. You need to open the box in
total darkness or in a changing bag. Loading film in the film holder is a
relatively easy operation once you have acquired a little practice with a sheet
or two in full daylight.

If you are serious about shooting with the 4x5 format, you will need something
like 5 to 10 film holders to get around, which will give you 10 to 20 exposures.
You can buy them used on eBay for very little money.

Processing sheet film is more complex than rollfilm, since you have to do it in
trays in full darkness. There are tanks on the market which claim to be
appropriate for processing sheet film in daylight, but I don't know any that
really does the job. You can process from one to 4-5 sheets at a time in a tray,
depending on how experienced you are. I'm sure that you can find all the
information about tray processing on the internet.

Of course, you can load paper in the film holder and this will give you paper
negatives. This is the easiest way to get started with 4x5 format.

Another possibility, althgough it gets quite expensive, is to use a Polaroid 4x5
film back which you load with Polaroid film. Polaroid Type 55 will give you both
a print an a negative that you can work with later on.

That's as simple as that Jeremiah. Large format photography (lens or lensless)
is ultimately a Zen activity. It takes more time to make a picture than with
rollfilm. But then, it's always nice to think in depth about what it is that you
want to shoot before you do. You need to look around more, bfore shooting. If
you get into 4x5, you'll also really enjoy the pleasure of getting large-sized
images which you can either contact print or blow up to infinity on your
enlarger.

Cheers,

Guy

Trickstrr@aol.com wrote:

> This whole discussion on the Zero Image 4x5 and film holders has sparked an
> interest in me. I was thinking about getting a zero image 4x5 as well, but am
> kind of hesitating because I'm not that familiar with any of the terminology
> like film holders and so forth. I'm mostly familiar with 35mm and stuff.
>
> Anyway, since we're discussing it and everything do you think someone could
> explain to me what you need for this type of camera and if any of you have
> had any experience and luck with it. Also drawbacks too, if possible. What is
> all the equipment you need for the camera and how does it work etc.. I would
> be most greatfull for help. Thanks all!
> --Jeremiah
>
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Received on Wed Dec 5 05:42:03 2001